I’m quite happy about this For The Weekenders. It’s like a Sound of Music moment for me – not saying that I enjoy musicals (cough). Just saying…it reminds me of childhood days and the fact that these are a few of my favorite things. Plus…I’m confident you’ll like it too. I mean really – and don’t let the ping pong battles fool you. They’re brutal. Let’s get started shall we…?

You take a step back…shift your weight onto your right foot. Wiggle your left hand a bit for balance, and feel a drip of sweat trickle down your brow. Eyes dilated, you place a firm grip on the paddle in your right hand…swing your arm back with elegance and…bingo – perfect play.

Ping pong just got a whole lot more fun. With DJs, drinking, and some post game dancing, hell, ping pongs gone and grown up. It just can’t get any better than Blazing Paddles. This is your go-to spot for when you’ve just completed exams, or have been studying the week through all for that Bachelor’s Degree in [insert subject here].

This is the place to go when you’re tired of conventional bars, with conventional pool tables, and slippery dance floors from all the beer spilt. This is for all those nights you spent wracking your brain on Pub Quiz but dammit, you realized you just aren’t that into pop culture.

This is the place where students, music and sports enthusiasts, and of course Ping Pong battlers, practically everyone can gather and come together on mutual ground and similar interests, and “groups” or “clicks” disappear.

Who am I kidding? Bostonians are chill like that anyway.

So this is the plan, you’ve got two major options – if you’re feeling low key, just slip into the establishment (conveniently located in Game On), head downstairs, and book your table – I reckon an hour or so should be good enough to work up a sweat (and thirst). If you’ve never tried Ping Pong before now would be a good time – just remember, it’s all in the wrist.

However if that doesn’t work out, you can always try out their batting cage – show of your strength. You know. That sort of thing.

As for that second option, if you wanna do it up big and hold a party, just ring Blazing Paddles up or fill out their form online – they’ll cater to your every need (all shy of helping your score with your date – you’re on your own with that one. Sorry.)

When you’ve finally had enough or just fancy a break, hit up the bar while checking out what’s on the menu – Ping Pong can be a hungry game…and if you really find you like the place, stick around a bit longer for a few more rounds until the DJ shows up – because really that’s when the fun begins. After that, it’s really all just Saturday Night Fever.

But let’s say you hit up Blazing Paddles early, and you’re not really feeling the Pepper Jack Cheeseburger (are you crazy? Why? It’s got avocado for Christ’s sake.), or your friends and you just feel like keeping the energy rolling by getting food first, then sporting later…or maybe even your friend from Seoul just touched down and wants a bit of fusion food (improbable? Think again). What then? Well, you say adieu and shuffle on over to InBoston.

Though you may remember another restaurant I wrote on similar to this one in an earlier post, I can assure you the most certainly are not the same. While they both serve Korean wings, InBoston gets interesting and servers up some pretty epic Korean Tacos as well…and I’m sorry but – tacos.

If this photo doesn’t excite your taste buds, I don’t know what does. It’s the perfect spot for when you want something borderline “cheat meal,” borderline healthy. Yes, they have fries. Yes, they have chicken…they like to keep things simple on their menu – but with simplicity comes mastery, and mastery comes art. You do something long enough, especially with food, and you learn to make it distinct. Original. Flavorful.

Think of this place as your favorite take away spot. They don’t have a lot of chairs, and reasonably so – they’re in the financial district.

It makes them a little hard to find yeah, but if you know where Gene’s Flatbread Cafe is, you can find these guys. Just look across the street. The staff is friendly, and the food always fresh. Try the Bulgogi Taco – you can’t go wrong.Bottom line – if you like Mexican food, this is the place for you. If you like Korean food…this is the place for you. If you like both Mexican and Korean food and wish someone would combine the two – why are you still reading this? Get over there. NOW.

Stomach full and ping-ponged out, this is the last stop. You made it – now it’s time to just kick back and relax, while you melt into supple white leather chairs, sipping on a G&T to revive your spirits. If you don’t like gin, that’s okay – the bartenders here have a knack for making spectacular, noteworthy drinks. Ask for something with whiskey and prepare to be blown away. It’s called Wink & Nod for a reason, you know.

This is the place when you want to wind down from the noise of the batting cage, or the thrill of the game at your favorite bar. This is the place where, if you’ve had enough fun with your friends, you can split and pick up that person who gave you their number while you were in line at Starbuck’s last week…for a nice quiet drink. The atmosphere? Breathtaking.

…and I use that word very, very sparingly.

It’s the kind of place where you appreciate soft leather chairs, perfect lounge lighting, and interesting prints on furniture and floor. You can focus on conversation while keeping the palette smooth, and when you start feeling a little too warm and fuzzy, bring your buzz back down to maintainable levels with a few of their menu items. Try the Short Rib Yakitori – there’s no such thing as too much yakitori.

Oh, and when you’re really ready to get nice and cozy with that person you brought along? Head over to the seating opposite the bar.

Because, obviously.

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™